Aren't You Ready?

You're
packed. You're set. Yet, somehow, you feel as if you're forgetting something. That's why you wound up here. No problem. Let's see if we've got you covered.

Tickets? Admission media
can be purchased at the gate, or ahead of time through your travel agent
or AAA office. The one-day, one-park rate is currently $54.75 plus tax per
adult. Children ages 3 through 9 will be charged $44.95 plus tax. Under the age of 3? You're free! Prices subject to change, of
course. If you plan on a longer stay -- and you really should -- you can
save with multiday passes, annual passes and seasonal passes. Prices
and promotions will vary but you can always check our
Penny Pincher's Guide
to IOA for discount information.

Park Hours? The
park opens daily at 9am. Port of Entry will typically open a few minutes
earlier to give you the opportunity to browse the shops, rent a locker, pick
up a stroller or wheelchair, etc. The ropes at both Seuss Landing and Marvel
Super Hero Island will drop at 9am opening time. The closing hours will vary,
from as early as 6pm during slow season. You can call 1-888-UESCAPE to get
the latest operating hours information or
check them
online.

Oh, I'm sure you get asked this all the time but. . . There is no such thing as a silly question but we know the ones that are asked most often. That's why we have compiled an entertaining guide that covers the basics on. . .

Directions? While you won't need directions if you choose to stay at one of the three onsite resorts
or a nearby hotel with complimentary shuttle bus service, if you are driving over getting to the park is a breeze. Just hop on I-4. If you're on the Turnpike or in the Downtown Orlando area you will be taking I-4 East (to Tampa). If you are in the Disney World area or coming in on the Beeline Expressway off the Orlando Airport you will be taking I-4 West (to Orlando).
Westbound on I-4 you will get off at Exit #74B and take a right on Hollywood Way. If you are coming in Eastbound on I-4 you will get off at Exit #75 and take a left on Universal Boulevard. Don't worry. You can't miss the place and there are signs everywhere.

I'm at the Port of Entry, What Do I Do
First? Oh, the ultimate dilemma. Arrive
early. Pulling into the parking garage no later than 8:30am should give you
plenty of time to soak in the early morning ambience of CityWalk, veer left
towards the park, and be one of the first to begin your day's adventure.
Spider-Man is the park's signature attraction and it does break down from
time to time so you might want to hit that first. My itinerary tip for the
speed-demon thrillseeker is to hit Spider-Man first. Then hit Dr. Doom and
Hulk. Yes, in that order. Hulk loads fairly quickly while Doom does not --
so do Doom first. Then keep going clockwise into Toon Lagoon for Dudley Do
Right and Popeye (if you are prepared to be soaked on both) and Jurassic
Park River Adventure in Jurassic Park.

As long as you arrived in time to hit the park as it
opens you will be done with six key rides by 11am . Okay, solid. Now it's
time to take it easy through Jurassic Park. Take the time to enjoy the Discovery
Center and Triceratops Encounter. The crowds will be filling in then so you
might as well enjoy the sights. Dueling Dragons and Poseidon's Fury. All
that Seuss Landings has to offer. Take your time. When you're done you might
still have time to retrace your step to hit your favorites again. If your
love for thrill rides runs low, simple. At Port of Entry do the park
counter-clockwise, starting at Seuss Landings and Lost Continent where only
one of the half-dozen main attractions comes with a height stick.

What if we get
lost? Parks get crowded. Families get divided.
It rarely happens but you should plan ahead just in case. Enjoying a park
sometimes takes a little more precautionary planning than most adults consider.
There is a Lost Children station by the Port of Entry. Agree to meet there,
or any other icon of your choosing, if you anyone gets lost. For younger
Islanders you should place an ID, even if it is simple as a hand-written
piece of paper, in your children's pockets. Explain to your children that
if they do get lost to seek out a park attendant. The attendant will look
for the parents in the immediate area, and, if unsuccessful, will escort
the child to Lost Children.

Baby & IOA?
The Port of Entry, as out of the way as it may seem by the time you are a
soaked Popeye at the other end of the park is a good place to remember. It
is there where a baby station is, complete with private feeding rooms. The
family services area is located to your immediate right once you enter the
park, as is Guest Services and Lost & Found. All bathrooms, male
and female, have baby changing areas, but if you are short on diapers or
need a little quiet quality time, head out to Port of Entry's care
station.

This park has something for everybody. But don't force
it. Even if your child meets the height requirement for a thrill ride, if
there is any hesitation, back away. Do a kiddie swap so those who wish to
ride get their chance but nothing ruins a vacation like frazzled nerves.
Okay, maybe bad weather. If it's the grownups who are a bit timid, I suggest
the book
Are
You Chicken? A Coward's Guide to Roller Coasters.

Won't I Get Hungry?
Of course. Foodwise, you have plenty of
places to eat at
the park. While some families pack a lunch or leave when it's time to eat
to save on the edibles, paying a slight premium to eat in one of the themed
foodcourts may be more than worth considering. Keep in mind that the parks prohibit food and drinks to be brought inside the park. Coolers are a definite no-no.
They do have security check bags on the way in. However, they will allow you to bring in baby food and toddler snacks. I haven't seen anyone turned away for bringing in water bottles either, though that may be enforced eventually.

Buy the travel books you need online through Amazon.com.
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Orlando's
Other Theme Parks - What to Do When You're Done With Disney. Kelly
Monaghan's excellent follow-up including meaty Universal Orlando
write-ups.